Researchers find that overhead irrigation is most likely cause of E. coli contamination of romaine

Cornell Study Finds Irrigation Water Contaminates Romaine

A Cornell study finds that overhead spray irrigation with untreated surface water often contaminates Romaine lettuce  with pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7. This risk was mitigated through either drip or furrow irrigation. One of the study’s authors, Renata Ivanek, a professor in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences in the College […] The post Cornell Study Finds Irrigation Water Contaminates Romaine appeared …

Researchers find that overhead irrigation is most likely cause of E. coli contamination of romaine

Foodborne illness outbreaks of E. coli O157 infections traced to romaine lettuce continue to be an ongoing public health concern.  The most recent such outbreak in November and December 2024 saw 89 people across 15 states sickened. The outbreak hospitalized 36 people and killed one. To better understand the problem, a group of scientists took a look at several factors, including irrigation water used in the production of romaine lettuce. The res…